Former presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has explained his decision not to choose Nyesom Wike as his running mate for the 2023 presidential election.
He made it clear that he has no regrets about the choice and detailed the process that led to his selection of Ifeanyi Okowa instead.
Reflecting on the 2019 election, Atiku recalled that after winning the presidential ticket in Port Harcourt, he travelled to Abeokuta to consult former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
During their discussion, Obasanjo advised him to pick a running mate from the Southeast rather than the Southwest, given that the latter had already held the presidency for eight years, News About Nigeria reports.
Obasanjo initially suggested Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, but Atiku pointed out that she was not a member of their party, which would likely lead to her rejection.
The former president then recommended Charles Soludo, but he too was not a party member.
Atiku then proposed Peter Obi, who was part of the party at the time, and after discussions with party leaders, Obi was chosen as his running mate.
Fast forward to 2023, Atiku took a different approach to selecting his running mate.
He allowed the party to form a committee responsible for recommending three candidates.
The committee ranked Ifeanyi Okowa as the top choice, with Wike in second place and Udom Emmanuel third. Based on this recommendation, Atiku chose Okowa.
He addressed reports that he did not properly consult with the party before making his decision, stating that the selection process was open and inclusive.
Party leaders, including governors and senior members, were involved in the discussions.
He explained that by following the committee’s recommendation, he ensured that the decision was collective rather than personal.
